Civil Engineering Reference
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6.3 Phase 3
The third phase will focus on expansion of High Technology Industries and
expansion of Centralized Services.
6.4 Phase 4
The fourth phase will provide Housing and Recreation for the Community and an
Education Facility related to the Nanotechnology Center of Excellence (NCE).
The plan is to integrate with the surrounding area and connect with the larger
Knowledge Hub master plan for Homagama.
7 Investment Advantage
Sri Lanka is enjoying a ''Peace Dividend'' after the civil war that lasted more than
25 years, which ended in 2009. It has since had an annual GDP growth rate of
more than 8 %, with a current (2010) per capita GDP of approximately USD
2,400. The Government has maintained an undivided focus on growth and
development and has great ambitions of making Sri Lanka a dynamic global hub in
Aviation, Energy, Knowledge, Logistics, and Commerce. The Knowledge Hub
initiative is focused on attracting investments in higher education with a view to
making Sri Lanka a regional hub for learning and innovation.
Sri Lanka is benefiting from political stability and rapid infrastructure devel-
opment such as new highways, sea ports, airports, and power plants. The Gov-
ernment is increasing its emphasis on education. Sri Lanka has achieved near
universal literacy (91 %); English is spoken and understood widely. These factors
make Sri Lanka very attractive to any foreign investor or company seeking a
highly educated, qualified, and talented workforce. For many companies and
institutes based in North America or Europe, the cost arbitrage of doing research
and development work in Sri Lanka is a significant advantage.
The Nanotechnology Park, as illustrated in the Master Plan (Fig.
3
), will be
subdivided into zones for tenants to invest and develop their research centers,
incubation facilities, pilot plants, etc., in an enabling and supportive environment
of a Science and Technology Park. These tenants, whether they be MNCs or SMEs
will be provided attractive incentives to set up their facilities in the Park. These
along with the environment of Open Innovation and the access to the Nanotech-
nology Center of Excellence will give any company or institute a considerable
advantage.
The Government of Sri Lanka is visionary and innovation friendly. It is focused
on rapid development through advanced technology. In its Budget for 2012, the
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